Researchers from Harvard University and MIT have tissues built that are suitable for cyborgs. With the help of nanodraden can tissues to be created that consist of both biological and electronic components.
To use as a base, the scientists used a grid of nanodraden, where similar methods are used as for the etching of chips. There is a porous network built of siliciumdraden that is then filled with biological cells. This results in a system with both biological and electronic components, so the resulting fabrics can be used for the development of cyborgs; a combination of a robot with a biological organism.
The Harvard and MIT developed system has quite a few functions. So can the tissues the chemical and electrical changes are detected. This is a necessary function for biological tissues, as an organism strives for homeostasis, which processes the internal state is equal and stable. For this purpose, cells derived from the neural network and the cardiovascular system.
According to the researchers, to work their system better than previous attempts, because it is possible to create a 3d structure to build. Formerly kept such networks are often stuck on a flat structure, where cells at the top of a system of nanodraden grow. To the current 3d-tissues to develop scientists so-called feedback-loops to build. These would be the body used to changing parameters, such as blood pressure, pH or oxygen levels, to bring back to their normal, healthy values.
It is still unclear the extent to which such tissues are actually can be used for the development of a cyborg. Perhaps certain tissue structures which electrical components are adapted also when medical interventions are used. The scientists think that their method can be used to make implantable organs to grow.